Bilirubin Range For Infants

Infant jaundice occurs because the baby s blood contains an excess of bilirubin bil ih roo bin a yellow pigment of red blood cells.

Bilirubin range for infants.

The indirect bilirubin level in the bloodstream is the total bilirubin minus the direct bilirubin levels in the bloodstream. However at times it is possible for the amount of bilirubin in the body to rise to a very high level which in turn can lead to serious health complications. In a healthy infant born at full term bilirubin levels tend to cause concern. It happens because the blood breaks down in the same way in newborns as in adults but newborns have relatively immature pathways of the liver.

Newborn jaundice is a yellowing of a baby s skin and eyes. Of the formula fed infants 2 24 had serum bilirubin levels greater than 12 9 mg dl v 8 97 of breast fed infants p less than 000001. The 95th percentile for bottle fed infants is a serum bilirubin level of 11 4 mg dl v 14 5 mg dl for the breast fed population and the 97th percentiles are 12 4 and 14 8 mg dl respectively. Total bilirubin direct and indirect range from about 0 2 to 1 2 mg dl some lab values range as high as 1 9 mg dl.

In case the levels of bilirubin in the body are within the normal range it does not create a problem. Medical literature sources have minor variations in normal levels. Normal bilirubin levels for older children and adults should be at or below 1mg dl milligrams per deciliter. Infant jaundice is a common condition particularly in babies born before 38 weeks gestation preterm babies and some breast fed babies.

The approximate normal range of bilirubin in the blood serum is. Because the bilirubin has a color it turns babies shin and eyes yellow jaundice. Bilirubin can be described as the yellowish substance that is produced by the liver when old cells are broken down. Normal values of direct bilirubin range from 0 to 0 4 mg dl.

It s normal to have some bilirubin in your blood. The cause of the jaundice is quite varied. Normal bilirubin level for a newborn. Infant jaundice is yellow discoloration of a newborn baby s skin and eyes.

Additionally normal reference ranges may vary from lab to lab. Almost all babies have increased bilirubin levels within 1 2 days of birth. Normal bilirubin levels are usually under 5mg dl but most newborns have it above 5mg dl and have some kind of jaundice at birth. Although most causes are benign each case must be investigated to rule out an etiology with significant morbidity.